USW expert calls for action to assess prisoners’ suicide risk

PRISONERS need to be assessed as soon as they are jailed to
check if they pose a suicide risk.

That’s the conclusion of a review study which explored the
link between experiences of abuse and neglect in childhood and suicide attempts
in prisoners.

This study appeared in Psychological Medicine and was led by
Doctor Ioannis Angelakis, Associate Professor in Psychology at the University
of South Wales (USW).

This review, which was based on 24 studies containing
records from 16,586 prisoners, found that up to 68% of prisoners had
experienced some form of childhood abuse or neglect, and that 23% had reported
engaging in suicide attempts. These rates are alarmingly high, provided that
0.3 to 3% of the general population engages in suicidal acts.

Dr Angelakis’ study also found that prisoners who
experienced childhood trauma were more likely to engage in suicide attempts,
with those who had experienced sexual and emotional abuse being three times
more likely to attempt suicide as adults, while those who had experienced
physical abuse and emotional neglect were twice as likely to attempt suicide as
adults.

“Given the strong link between experiences of childhood
abuse and neglect, and suicide attempts in prisoners, early screening is
imperative so that prisoners more at risk for suicidal behaviour can access
support as quickly as possible,” Dr Angelakis said.

“Prisons should invest in robust treatment approaches to
attenuate the impact of childhood experiences of abuse and neglect in
prisoners.

“Group-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), with a
particular focus on suicidal experiences, may be particularly helpful in
preventing suicide attempts within this high-vulnerable group.”